The Platte County Citizen

DEARBORN, Mo. — North Platte missed its chance at a rematch with Kansas City Lutheran in the Class 1 District 15 championship game after a sweep at the hands of newly-affiliated Northland Christian on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at North Platte High School. The Trailblazers won both sets by the score of 25-16 to earn their first shot at a district championship after receiving Missouri State High School Activities Association membership late last month.
Northland Christian came into the tournament as the No. 3 seed despite posting a 19-4-3 record playing a tough schedule — including a third place finish at the Platte County Invitational in late September. The small parochial school located in extreme eastern Platte County had won the past four Missouri Christian School Athletic Association state titles.

Both North Platte and Northland Christian rolled into the semifinals allowing a combined 21 points in two sets each during opening-round victories. Northland Christian defeated St. Joseph Christian 25-9, 25-3 while North Platte dispatched Frontier Academy of Excellence 25-6, 25-3 on Monday.

“We’ll do our best and see what happens,” North Platte coach Scott McInnis said after Monday’s win. “That’s all we can do. They’ve got some big hitters that’s for sure. But, we have pretty good hitters and pretty good defense so we’ll see.”

West Platte also swept its way through the first round despite a momentary hiccup, earning a shot at the top seed.

The Bluejays enjoyed a 14-6 lead before Orrick stormed back to tie the match at 16. The Bluejays won three straight points to take the first set 25-23 before cruising to set two 25-13 for their second sweep of the Bearcats on the season.

In Tuesday’s other semifinal, KC Lutheran swept West Platte to reach the final and will face Northland Christian in the championship scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Other game

North Platte 2, West Platte 0

The Panthers finished off an unbeaten KCI Conference title, avoiding a split with a sweep of its chief rival Tuesday, Oct. 13 at North Platte High School in Dearborn, Mo.

Brittney Gerling tallied four blocks and Katie Heese added three as North Platte improved to 3-1 on the season against its chief rival. The Panthers had lost the previous matchup to West Platte during a nonconference triangular a week earlier.

This time, North Platte prevailed 25-22 in the first set before closing with a 25-13 rout. The Panthers went 7-0 league play to win their second KCI title in three years.

Gerling also led the offense with five kills, while Kailey Pike ended up with just 11 assists.